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Submission Type
Conference Talk - Individual
Abstract
How does an online, roleplay fiction character you are playing interact with your own, personal character? To quote the social media account relationship status: “It’s complicated.” Netprov (networked improvisation) projects are a great lab for examining the literature, theater, cinema and psychology of “self” and self presentation. I’ll share some thoughts, observations and tips for fun and insightful netprov play based on my own experience of producing and playing netprovs with Mark C. Marino. In particular I’ll look at the netprovs: “1Step Forward, 2Steps Back” a sisyphean fitness community where you just can’t get ahead; “Thermophiles in Love” a five-gender dating website for microorganisms, and “Destination Wedding 2070” a family farce that’s ultimately about climate change.
Maintaining Your Character(s) in Netprov
How does an online, roleplay fiction character you are playing interact with your own, personal character? To quote the social media account relationship status: “It’s complicated.” Netprov (networked improvisation) projects are a great lab for examining the literature, theater, cinema and psychology of “self” and self presentation. I’ll share some thoughts, observations and tips for fun and insightful netprov play based on my own experience of producing and playing netprovs with Mark C. Marino. In particular I’ll look at the netprovs: “1Step Forward, 2Steps Back” a sisyphean fitness community where you just can’t get ahead; “Thermophiles in Love” a five-gender dating website for microorganisms, and “Destination Wedding 2070” a family farce that’s ultimately about climate change.
Accessibility Statement
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Bio
Rob Wittig plays at the crossroads of literature, graphic design and digital culture. He co-founded the legendary IN.S.OMNIA electronic bulletin board with the Surrealist-style literary and art group Invisible Seattle. From this came a Fulbright grant to study the writing and graphic design of electronic literature with philosopher Jacques Derrida in Paris. Rob's book based on that work, Invisible Rendezvous, was published Wesleyan University Press. He then embarked on a series of illustrated and designed email and web fictions. Alongside his creative projects, Rob has worked in major publishing and graphic design firms in Chicago, leading R&D teams. In 2011 Rob earned an Master’s in Digital Culture at the University of Bergen, Norway. He is currently developing high-design, collaborative fiction in a form called netprov, networked improv narrative. Rob is Assistant professor in the Art & Design and Writing Studies departments of the University of Minnesota Duluth. Rob directs Meanwhile… Netprov Studio, along with Mark C. Marino. meanwhilenetprov.com